West Ham United, facing challenges with fulfilling their homegrown player quota, are reportedly leading the race for young Welsh midfielder Jordan James.
West Ham’s search for homegrown players has primarily focused on English prospects, both established and up-and-coming. This makes sense due to the abundance of English talent available.
However, the club seems to be exploring an underutilised avenue within the homegrown player quota: Welsh players. Since several Welsh clubs compete in the English leagues, they can contribute to fulfilling the quota.
According to walesonline , West Ham is at the forefront of the chase for 19-year-old midfielder James. A product of Birmingham City’s academy, James has already impressed for both club and country (10 caps for Wales).
While Birmingham City, recently relegated to League One, would ideally keep James to aid their promotion push, the interest from multiple clubs, including West Ham, could force their hand.
James’ talent and experience with the Welsh national team, despite his young age, make him an attractive target for West Ham. This potential signing could be a strategic solution to address both the homegrown player quota and the need for midfield reinforcements.